Epson TM-U590/U590P, TM-U590, TM-U590P Operator's Manual

slip printer

TM-U590/U590P

Operator’s Manual

MICR Option Included

400676902

Printer Parts and Labels

POWER

FORWARD

ERROR
RELEASE
SLIP

REVERSE RELEASE

EPSON

Front cover

Table

On/Off switch

Paper guide

* Slide the paper guide
to fit the width of
your paper.

Labels

Ribbon installation
label inside
front cover

FORWARD

REVERSE

Document table

RELEASE

SLIP

ERROR

RELEASE

POWER

Slip paper
control panel

2

1

Label on the document table

CAUTION:

Caution labels for drawer kick-out and display module

connectors.

Quick Reference

This Quick Reference will dir ect you to key ar eas of this Op erator’ s
Manual. For a complete listing of topics, see the Contents.

Printer Parts and Labels inside front cover

Ordering Ribbons page viii

Where to order ribbons.

Setting Up the Printer page 1-1

How to set up the printer.

Validating and Verifying Checks page 2-4

How to validate and veri fy checks using the optional Ma gnetic Ink
Character Recognition (MICR) Reader.

Solving Problems page 3-1

How to correct problems.

i

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko
Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the
information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the
preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for
errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the
use of the information contained herein.

Neither Seiko Epson Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of
this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by
purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or
unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the
U.S.) failure to strictly comply with Seiko Epson Corporation’s operating and
maintenance instructions.

Seiko Epson Corporation shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising
from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated
as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Seiko Epson
Corporation.

EPSON and ESC/POS are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation.

NOTICE: The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.

Copyright © 1996 by Seiko Epson Corporation, Nagano, Japan.

ii

FCC CLASS A

FCC Compliance Statement

For American Users

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmf ul interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiat e radio frequ ency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instru ct ion manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likel y t o cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.

WARNING

The connection of a non-shield ed printer interf ace cabl e to this printer will in validate
the FCC Verification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed
the limits established by the FCC for this equipment.

You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the
equipment.

FOR CANADIAN USERS

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference­Causing Equipment Regulatio ns.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigenves du Règlement
sur le matériel brouileur du Canada.

GEREÄUSCHPEGEL

Gemäß der Dritten Verordnung zum Gerätesicherheit sgesetz
(Maschinenlärminformations- Verordnung-3. GSGV) ist der arbeitsplatzbezogene
Geräusch-Emissionswert kleiner als 70 dB(A) (basierend auf ISO 7779).

iii

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Product Name: Printer
Type Name: M128B

These printers conform to the following Directives and Norms

Directive 89/336/EEC

EN 55022 (1986 and 1994) Class B
EN 50082-1 (1992)
IEC 801-2 (1991)
IEC 801-3 (1984)
IEC 801-4 (1991)

Directive 90/384/EEC

EN45501: (199 2)

iv

EMI and Safety Standards Applied

The following st andar ds are applied on ly to the prin ters t hat are so
labeled. (EMC is tested using the EPSON PS-170 power supply)

Europe: CE marking

EN55022
EN50082-1
EN45501

Safety Standard: TÜV (EN 60950)

North America: EMI: FCC Class A

Safety standards: UL 1950-2TH-D3

C-UL

v

About This Manual

Setting Up and Using

❏ Chapter 1 contains informati on on unpacking the printer, and setting it up.
❏ Chapter 2 contains information on using the printer.
❏ Chapter 3 conta i ns troublesh oo ting informati on.

Reference

❏ Chapter 4 contains specifications.
❏ Appendix A tells how to change the DIP switch and Appendix B lists the

EPSON Sales Subsidiaries and their addresses.

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes

WARNING:

Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid serious bodily
injury.

CAUTION:

Cautions must be observed to avoid minor injury to yourself or
damage to your equipment.

Note:

Notes have important information and useful tips on the operation of your
printer.

vi

Introduction

Features

The TM-U590 and TM-U590P are high-quality POS printers that can print on slip
paper. The printers have the following features:

❏ Wide slip paper capability (maximum characters per line: 88 with 7 × 9 font).
❏ Copy printing is possible.
❏ High throughput using bidirectional, minimum distance printing.
❏ Optional Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) reader that enables the

printer to perform consecutive reading and processing of MICR characters and
pri nting en dors emen t s .

❏ EPSON customer display series connection (DM-D102/DM-D203).
❏ Selectable r e ce i ve buff e r s i ze (69 bytes or 4K bytes).

®

❏ Comma nd protocol ba se d on t he E CS / PO S
❏ Automatic Status Back (ASB) function that automatically transmits changes in

the printer status.

standard.

Options

❏ Magnetic Ink Character Recognit i on (MICR) reader (factory installed option)
❏ Direct connectio n display modu les, DM-D102 and DM-D203
❏ EPSON power su pp ly un it , PS - 17 0

Accessory

❏ EPSON ribbon cassette, ERC-31(P)

Introduction vii

Ordering Ribbon Cassettes

The TM-U590/U590P uses a long-lasting ribbon cassette. To order
ribbon cassettes, contact your dealer or your local affiliate. See
Appendix B for a list of EPSON subsidiaries with their addresses
and telephone numbers.

viii Introduction

Contents

Quick Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Chapter 1

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Removing the protective material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Connecting the Cables and Grounding the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Connecting the Drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Connecting the Display Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Grounding the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Connecting the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Installing the Ribbon Cassette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Using the Power Switch Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Running the self test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

DIP Switch Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Removing the Paper Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

Chapter 2

Operating the Control Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Slip Paper Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Using the MICR Reader (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Reading MICR characters on personal checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Setting Up the Printer

Using the Printer

Chapter 3

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

General problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Printing problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Paper handling problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Cleaning the Optional MICR Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

MICA cleaning method (Recommended) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

The cleaning procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Explanatin of a cleaning sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Hexadecimal Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Troubleshooting

ix

Chapter 4 Reference Information

Printing Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Ribbon Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

MICR Reader (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Paper Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Electrical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Reliability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Appendix A Dip Switch Setting

Setting the DIP Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

DIP switch functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Changing the DIP switch settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

Appendix B EPSON Sales Subsidiaries

x

Chapter 1

Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking

Your printer box should include these items. If any items are
damaged or missing, please contact your dealer for assistance.

EPSON

FORWARDFORWARD

REVERSE

R

RELEASE

POWER

ERROR

RELEASE

SLIP

E

LE

A

S

E

Ribbon

Hexagonal

Switch
Cover

lock screws

(These screws are used
only for the serial interface)

See the note on page 1-4 for information about the hexagonal lock screws.

Note:

When you lift the printer, be sure to hold the bottom of the
printer to prevent damage.

Setting Up the Printer 1-1

Removing the protective material

1. Open the printer b y pulling up on the tab on the front cover.

EPSON

Tab

2. Remove the damper from the printe r as sho wn below.

POWER

ERROR

D

RELEASE

R

A

SLIP

W

R
FO

FORWARD

RELEASERELEASE

E

S

R

E

V

E

R

REVERSE

EPSON

POWER

ERROR

D

RELEASE

R

A

SLIP

W

R
FO

FORWARD

RELEASERELEASE

E

S

R

E

V

E

R

REVERSE

3. Store the dampe rs with the other packing mate rials and use
them wh en transpo rting your pri nter.

1-2 Setting Up the Printer

Connecting the Cables and Grounding the Printer

You can connect up to five cables to the printer. They all connect to
the connector panel on th e bottom of the printer, which i s shown
below:

Grounding screw

Power supply

Drawer kick-out

Display module

Interface

Notes:

There are caution labels beside the drawer kick-out connector
and the display module connector.

Depending on the interface installed, the interface connector on
your printer may look different from the one illustrated.

Before connecting any of the cables, make sure that both the printer
and the computer are turned off.

Connecting the computer

You need an appropriate interface cable.

1. Plug the cable connector securely into the pri nter’s inte rface
conne ctor.

Setting Up the Printer 1-3

2. Tighten the screw s o n both sides of the cabl e connecto r.

Note:

Your printer has inch-type hexagonal lock screws installed. If
your interface cable requires millimeter-type screws, replace the
inch-type screws with the enclosed millimeter-type screws using
a hex screwdriver (5 mm).

Inch screw

Millimeter screw

3. Attac h the other end of the ca ble to the co mputer.

1-4 Setting Up the Printer

Connecting the Drawer

WARNING:

Use a drawer that matches the printer specification. Using an
improper drawer may damage the drawer as well as the
printer.

CAUTION:

Do not connect a telephone line to the drawer kick-out
connector; otherwise the printer and the telephone line may
be damaged.

Plug the drawer cable into the drawer kick-out connector on the
bottom of the printer next to th e power supply connec tor.

Setting Up the Printer 1-5

Anschließen der Lade

WARNUNG:

Eine für den Drucker geeignete Lade verwenden. Bei
Verwendung einer falschen Lade kann diese oder der
Drucker beschädigt werden.

ACHTUNG:

Kein Telefonkabel an die Schnappsteckerbuchse
anschließen, da sonst der Drucker und die Telefonkabel
besch

Das Kabel der Lade an die Schnappsteckerbuchse unten am
Drucker neben dem Netßzansch luß

ä

digt werden können.

anschließen

.

1-6 Setting Up the Printer

Connecting the Display Module

Plug the cable connector (provided wi th the dire ct connection
display module) securely into the printer’s display module
connector until it clicks.

CAUTION:

Be sure not to connect this cable to the drawer kick-out
connector, which is to the left of the power supply
connector. Do not connect a telephone line to the
display connector. If you do, the printer and the
telephone line may be damaged.

Notes:

To remove the cable, squeeze the connector and pull it out.

The display module can be used only for the serial interface.

Grounding the Printer

You need a ground wire to ground your printer. Make sure that the
wire is AWG 18 or equivalent.

1. Make s ure that the pri nter is turne d off.

Setting Up the Printer 1-7

2. Conn ec t the ground wire to the printer us i ng the FG screw on
the bottom of the printer, as shown.

Connecting the Power Supply

Use the optional EPSON PS-170 or equivalent power supply for
your print er .

WARNING:

Make sure that you use the EPSON PS-170 power supply or
equivalent. Using an incorrect power supply may cause fire or
electrical shock.

1-8 Setting Up the Printer

CAUTIONS:

When connecting or disconnecting the power supply from
the printer, make sure that the power supply is not plugged
into an electrical outlet. Otherwise you may damage the
power supply or the printer.

If the power supply’s rated voltage and your outlet’s voltage
do not match, contact your dealer for assistance. Do not
plug in the power cord. Otherwise you may damage the
power supply or the printer.

1. Make sure that the printer’s power switch is turned off, and the
power supply’s power cord is unplugged from the electrical
outlet.

2. Check the label on the power supply to make sure that the
voltage required by the power supply matches that o f your
electrical outlet.

3. Plug in the powe r supply’s cable as shown be low. Notice that
the flat side of th e plug faces do wn.

Note:

To remove the DC cable connector, make sure that the power
supply’s power cord is unplugged; then grasp the connector at the
arrow and pull it straight out.

Setting Up the Printer 1-9

Installing the Ribbon Cassette

Use the EPSON ERC-31(P) ribbon cassette for your pri nter.

Note the label inside this section that can assist you in replacing the
ribbon.

CAUTION:

Never turn the ribbon knob in the opposite direction of
the arrow marked on the cassette; otherwise the ribbon
cassette may be damaged.

1. Be sur e t he printer is not receiving data when you replace a
ribbon ca ssette; oth erwise data may be lost.

2. Turn on the printer and open the front cover by pulling up on
the tab on the left side of the cover.

EPSON

POWER

ERROR

RELEASE

IP

ARD

L

S

FORW

FORWARD

RELEASE

Tab

REVERSEREVERSE

3. Make sure that the print he ad is on the right side.

1-10 Setting Up the Printer

4. If you are replacing a used ribbon, grasp the end of the tab and
remove it from the printer. See the illustration in step 5 for the
location o f the tab.

5. Turn the ribbon knob two or three times in the d irection of the
arrow to take up an y slack in the ri bbon.

Tab

6. Insert the ribbon cassette in the printer and rota te the cassette's
knob two or three more times. This is necessary to place the
ribbon in the correct po si tion.

R

E

W

O

P

R

O

R

R

E

ARD
FORW

FORWARD

RELEASE

SLIP

RELEASE

E

S

R

E

V

E

REVERSE

R

Knob

Make sure that th e ribbon is installed below the print head
without wrinkles or creases. (See ➄ on the label for an
illustration of whe re the ribbon should go.)

If the ribbon is not i nstalled correctly, remove the cassette and
repeat steps 5 and 6 above.

Setting Up the Printer 1-11

Using the Power Switch Cover

WARNING:

If an accident occurs when the power switch cover is
attached, unplug the power supply cord from the outlet
immediately. Continued usage may lead to fire or shock.

You can use the enclosed power switch cover to make sure that the
power switch is not accidental ly pres sed . If you want to use this
cover, install it as shown in the illustration below.

EPSON

REVERSE

FORWARDFORWARD

RELEASE

POWER

ERROR

RELEASE

SLIP

Self Test

The self test lets you know if your printer i s ope ra ting properl y. I t
checks the control circuits, printer mechanisms, print quality, ROM
version, and DIP switch settings.

This test i s independent of any other equi pme nt or software.

Running the self test

1. Make sure the printer is turned off and the printer cover is
closed properly.

1-12 Setting Up the Printer

2. While holding down the REVERSE button, turn on the printer to
begin the self test. (The SLIP light blinks.)

3. Feed a sheet of slip paper into the printer. The printer loads the
paper au tomatically, prints the printer setti ngs, and t he n ejects
the pap er.

4. Remove the paper from the printer and feed another sheet of
slip paper into the printer to print characters from the character
table. C ontinue to fee d slip paper into the printer until the self
test prints the following:

***completed***

The printer is ready to receive data as soon as it completes the self
test.

Note:

If you want to pause the self test manually, press the
button. Press the

REVERSE

button again to continue the self

REVERSE

test.

DIP Switch Settings

The TM-U590/U590P is set up at the factory to be appropriate for
almost all users. It does, however, offer some settings for users with
special requirements.

It has DIP switches that allow you to change communication
settings, such as handshaking and parity check, as well as
connection to a customer display.

See Appendix A if you ne e d to make any changes.

Setting Up the Printer 1-13

Removing the Paper Guide

If you will use especia lly wide pape r, yo u may not want to use the
paper gui de o n the document tabl e . Y ou can remove it, as
describe d below .

1. Open the printer by pulling up on the tab on the fro nt cover.

2. Slide the table to the left and remove it.

3. Loosen the scre ws and remove the document table from the
printer.

Screws

Note:

Be sure not to drop the screws in the printer.

1-14 Setting Up the Printer

4. Turn the document table over, loosen the screws, an d remove
the plate.

Plate

Screws

5. Slide the paper gu id e to the left to remove it .

2

1

Paper guide

6. Replace the plate and install the document table.

Note:

Be sure to keep the paper guide with the manual.

Setting Up the Printer 1-15

Chapter 2

Using the Printer

Operating the Control Panels

You can control the basic paper feeding operations of the printer
with the buttons on the control panels. The indicato r lights help
you monitor the pri nter’s status.

Control Panel

Buttons

The prin te r and these buttons w ill not operate when th e cover is
open. Also these buttons can be disabled with the ESC c 5
command.

FORWARD

Press the FORWARD button once to advance slip paper o ne line.
You can also hold down this button to feed slip paper
continuously.

REVERSE

FORWARD

REVERSE RELEASE

POWER
ERROR
RELEASE
SLIP

Press the REVERSE button once to re verse sli p paper one line. You
can als o h old down this button to reverse sl i p paper continuously.

Using the Printer 2-1

RELEASE

Press this button to release slip paper.

Indicator lights

The co ntrol panel lights provide inform ation on printer con ditions.

Panel lights

POWER

The POWER light is on when the printer is on .

ERROR

The printer is off-line when the light is on (except during paper
feed using the FORWARD or REVERSE buttons or d uring self -test
printing).

This indicates a n error w he n the light blinks. See Chapter 3 for
information on what to do.

RELEASE

This light is on when platen and paper feed roller are released so
that slip paper can be inserted.

This light is off when platen and paper feed roller are cramped
together (during printing on slip paper).

SLIP

This light is always on except off or blinking status.

This light is off when ejecting a slip paper.

This light blinks when the printer is in the slip insertion/removal
waiting s tate or pe rso nal c heck in sertion/removal waiting state
(only when the pr inter is used with the M ICR reade r).

2-2 Using the Printer

Slip Paper Handling

Notes:

Use only slip paper that matches the printer’s specifications. See
Paper Specifications in Chapter 4.

Be sure that the slip is flat, without curls, folds, and wrinkles.

1. Send appropriate control commands from the computer.

2. When the SLIP light blinks, insert the sli p paper into the slip
paper in let using the right edge of the slip p a per inlet as a
guide. (Follow steps ➀ and ➁ in the illustration.)

EPSON

POWER

ERROR

ELEASE

D

R

R

A

E

SLIP

W

S

R

A

O

E

FORWARD

F

L

E

RELEASE

R

E

S

R

E

V

E

R

REVERSE

2

1

Note:

There is a label on the document table to assist you how to insert slip
paper.

3. Make sure you insert the slip paper into the inlet as far as it will
go.

4. When the slip sheet is detected by the sensor, the SLIP light is
changed from blinking to on and the paper is automatically
drawn into the printer and printing begins.

Using the Printer 2-3

Note:

After the slip is detected, the printer moves the slip back and forth to
detect the position of the top edge of the slip. If the setting position of
the slip is not correct, the printer takes a few seconds to detect the
position of the top edge of the slip.

5. After printing, remove the slip.

Using the MICR Reader (Option)

If your printer has the factory installed optional Magnetic Ink
Character Reco gnition (MI CR) read er that enab les the printer to
read and process MICR characters on personal checks, read this
section.

Reading MICR characters on personal checks

To use the MICR function with personal checks, follow the steps
below:

CAUTION:

Do not insert checks with staples in them. This may cause
paper jams, MICR reading errors, and damage to the MICR
head.

Note:

Be sure that the checks are flat, without curls, folds, or wrinkles.

1. Wait until the computer s e nds the FS a 0 command to the
printer, causing it to enter the MICR mode. The SLIP light
blinks.

2-4 Using the Printer

2. Turn the check ove r so that it is face down with the MICR
characters on the right-hand side. The MICR characters must be
next to the right e dge of the p aper inlet.

EPSON

POWER

ERROR

RELEASE

IP

ARD

L

S

FORW

FORWARD

RELEASE

REVERSEREVERSE

3. Insert the chec k straight into the pa pe r inlet, usi ng the righ t
edge of th e paper inlet as a guide.

4. Insert the chec k as far as it will go. The printer will detect the
check and start drawing it in.

5. When the printe r starts dr awing it in , let go of the check
immediately. The SLIP light quits blinking but stays on.

6. When printing and MICR reading are finished, the printer
ejects the check and the SLIP light starts blinking again.

7. Remove the check by pulling it straight up; do not p ull it at an
angle. The SLIP light goes on.

See Chapter 3 to find out how to clean the MICR mechanism.

Using the Printer 2-5

Chapter 3

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

This chapter gives solutions to some printer problems you may
have.

General problems

The lights on the control panel do not come on.

Make sure that the po wer supply ca bles are co rrectly plu gge d into
the printe r, the pow e r unit, and to the power o utlet.

Make sure that power is supplied to the po wer outlet. If the outlet
is controlled by a switch or timer, use another outlet.

Printing problems

An ERROR light is blinking and the printer does not print.

First, turn off the printer and check for a pa pe r jam. (See the paper
jam description on page 3-3.)

If there is no paper jam, turn off the printer and turn it back on after
about 10 seconds. If the ERROR light is still fl ashing, contact a
qualified service person.

The ERROR light is off, but nothing is printed.

Try to run the self test to check that the printer works properly. See
the sel f te st instructions i n Chapter 1 to run the self te st. If the se lf
test does not work, contact your dealer or a qualified service
person.

Troubleshooting 3-1

If the self test works properly, check the following:

1. Check the connection at both ends of the interface cable
between the printer and the computer. Also make sure that this
cable meets the specifications for both the printer and the
computer.

2. The d ata transmission settings ma y be differe nt between the
printer a nd computer. Make sure that the printer’s DIP switch
settings for data transmission a re the same as the computer’s.
You can print the printer ’s interface settin gs using the self test.

If the printer still does not print, contact your dealer or a qualified
service perso n.

The printer sounds like it is printing, but nothing is printed.

The ribbon cassette may not be installed properly. See the
instructions in Chapter 1.

The ribbon may be worn out. Repl ace the ribbo n cassette as
described in Chapter 1.

The printout is faint.

The ribbon may be worn out. Repl ace the ribbo n cassette as
described in Chapter 1.

A line of dots is missing in the printout.

The print head may be damaged. Stop printing and contact your
dealer or a qualified service person.

3-2 Troubleshooting

Paper handling problems

Paper is jammed inside the printer.

CAUTIONS:

Do not touch the print head because it can be very hot after
printing continuously for a long time.
Do not move the print head carriage.

To clear a paper jam, follow the steps below:

1. Turn the printer off and open the front cover.

2. Remove the jammed paper.

Cleaning the Optional MICR Mechanism

MICA cleaning method (Recommended)

Cleaningpoint Use cleaning sheet Frequency

MICR head department

MICA system department Adhensive cleaning sheet

* Combine these 2 procedures, if you encounter frequent MICR reading errors.

Moistened Cleaning
sheet

The cleaning procedure

During in the self test mode

1) Confirm to set a ro l l paper and a ri bbon cas sette to make use a

printer mechanism proper ly .

6000 times or for one
month

6000 times or for one
month

Troubleshooting 3-3

2) Turn off the power switch.

3) Open a front cover(rid).

4) Turn on the power switch while turning on “JO U RNA L/

SLIP FEED button.

5) Push “JOURNAL/SLIP FEED” button 3 times.

6) Close a SLIP front cover (rid).

7) Following message will be printed on receip t paper and

“SLIP” LED flushes.

******WAVEFORM TRANSMISSION MODE

*****

Please set back

8) Peel off the pasteboard portion of a designated point of a

cleaning sheet.

* This procedure, 8) , is r equir ed only fo r a adhesiv e clean ing

sheet.

Figure 2. Adhesive Cleaning Sheet

F

F

Fi

3-4 Troubleshooting

9) As a check paper, insert a cleaning sheet into a printer.

* Set yellow non-stick side to be upside when cleaning using

adhesive sheet.

10) Remove and do a sheet after cleaning sheet discharge.

11) Turn off the powe r switch.

Command code sequence

1) MICA cleaning command <FS c> was installed to clean up.

2) Carry our from 8) to 10) described above in the self test mode.

NOTES

In case of using an adhesive cleaning sheet,

1) peel off only desinated pasteboard.

2) insert from co rrect derection, and

3) insert as peeled portion to be upside.

Explanatin of a cleaning sheet

Moistened Cleaning sheet

PRESAT brand (KIC) “CHECK READER CLEANING CARD” or
equivalent cleaning sheet is required.

Adhesice cleaning sheet (Refer to Figure 2)

Part Name : Sheet roller cleaning, A

Part Number : 1038046

Troubleshooting 3-5

Hexadecimal Dump

This feature allows experienced users to see exactly what data is
coming to the printer. This c an be useful in finding software
problems. When you turn on the hex d ump fun cti on, the printer
prints all commands and other data in hexadecimal format along
with a guide section to help you find specific commands.

To use the hex dump feature, follow these steps:

1. Afte r you make s u re that the p ri nter is off, open the cover.

2. Hold down the REVERSE button while you turn on the printer.

3. Close the cover.

4. Run any software program tha t sends data to the printer. The
printer prints “Hexadecimal Dump” and then all the codes it
receiv e s in a two-column fo rmat. The first co lumn contains the
hexa decima l codes and the second colum n g ives th e ASCI I
characte rs that co rrespond to the codes.

Hexadecimal Dump

1B 40 1B 21 00 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 4A 4B .@.!.ABCDEFGHIJK

4C 4D 4E 4F 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 5A 0C

LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

❏ A period (.) is printed for each code that has no ASCII

equivalent.

❏ During the hex dump all commands except DLE EOT and

DLE ENQ are disabled.

5. Open the cover to set the printe r of f line so tha t it will print the
last line.

6. Close the cover and turn off the printer or reset it to turn off the
hex dump mode.

3-6 Troubleshooting

Chapter 4

Reference Information

Printing Specifications

Paper

Printing method: Serial impact dot matrix

Head wire
configuration:

9-pin vertical line, 0.353 mm (1/72-inch)
wire pitch

Head wire diameter: 0.29 mm (.01")
Printing direction: Bidire ctio nal, minimum d ista nce printin g
Number of characters: Alphanumeric characters: 95

International characters: 32
Extended graphics: 128

× 10 pag es

(inc luding space page)

Character structure: Font A: 9

× 9, 3-dot spacing (in half-dot

units)
Font B: 7

× 9, 2-dot spacing (in half-dot

units)
Larger spacing can be set by using ESC SP.

Character size and printing speed

Character
structure
(Horizontal
dots × vertical
dots)

9 × 9 3 dots 12.5 233 66

7 × 9 2 dots 16.7 311 88

Character
spacing
(half dots)

Characters
per inch

Characters

per second

(carriage

moving speed)

Reference Information 4-1

Characters

per line

Character size
(width×height)

1.6 × 3.1 mm
(.06" × .12")

1.3 × 3.1 mm
(.05" × .12")

Ribbon Specifications

Type: Exclu si ve cassette ribbon

Ribbon cassette
specifications:

MICR Reader (Option)

The MICR reader is a factory-installed option.

Available fonts: E-13B, CMC7

Part number: ERC-31 (P), ERC-31(B)
Color: (P) Purple

(B) Black

Ribbon life: (P) 7,000,000 characters

(B) 4,500,000 characters

(when 1 character=18
dots)

Reading method: Magnetic bias
Recognition rating: 98% or more at 25°C (75°F)

Rating = ([total checks – numbe r misread
or not identified]/total checks) × 100
Check paper tested is EPSON standard
check p aper. Checks must be fl at , without
curls, folds, or wrinkles. The magnetic bias
method is used for reading.

Paper type: Normal check paper with t h ickness of 0.09

to 0.36 mm (0.0035 to 0.141”)
Size: 70 mm
(A4) (2.76”

× 70 mm to 210 mm × 297 mm

× 2.76” to 8.27” × 11.69”)

4-2 Reference Information

Paper Specifications

Paper feed method: Friction feed
Paper feed pitch: Default 4.23 mm (1/6”)

Paper feed speed:

0.176 mm (1/144”) can be set by a
command

Approximately 60.3 msec/line
(4.23 mm (1/6”) feeding)

Approximately 86.4 mm/second (3.4
inches/second) (continuous feeding)

Reference Information 4-3

Paper

Paper type: Normal paper

Carbon copy paper
Pressure sensitiv e paper

Total
thickness:

0.09 to 0.36 mm (.0035 to
.0141”)

See “Copy capability and paper thickness”
on the next page for more information.

Size
(W

× L):

70 mm
× 297 mm (A4)
(2.76”

× 70 mm to 210 mm

× 2.76”to 8.27” ×

11.69”)

Ambient temperature
and copy capability

Copy capability is greatly influenced by
the ambient temperature, so printing must
be performed under the condi ti ons
describe d in the t able below .

Relationship between ambient temperature and
number of copies

Number of copies Ambient temperature (print mode)

Original + 4 copies Approx. 20° to 45°C (68° to 113°F)

Original + 1 to 3 copies 5° to 45°C (41° to 113°F)

4-4 Reference Information

Copy capability and
paper thickness:

Normal paper (single-ply): 0.09 to 0.2 mm
(.0035 to .0079”)

Carbon copy paper combination:
5 sheets maximum (original + 4 copies) at

20° to 45°C (68° to 113°F)
Backing paper: 0.06 to 0.15 mm (.0023 to .0059”)
Copy and original: 0.04 to 0.07 mm (.0015 to .0028”)
Carbon paper: Approximately 0.035 mm (.0014”)
Total thickness: 0.30 mm (.0118”) or less (for any

combination, from a single original to an

original + 3 copies)

0.36 mm (.0141”) or less (for any

combination, from a single original to an

original + 4 copies)

Pressure sensitiv e paper:

5 sheets maximum (original + 4 copies) at

20° to 45°C (68° to 113°F)

Backing paper: 0.06 to 0.15 mm (.0023 to .0059”)
Copy and original: 0.06 to 0.075 mm (.0023 to .003”)
Total thickness: 0.24 mm (.0094”) or less (original to

original + 3 copies)

0.30 mm (.0118”) or less (original + 4

copies)

Note:

When using multi-ply paper that consists of an original and three or

four copies, be sure to print with a 9

× 9 font. If a 7 × 9 font is used,

some characters on some of the copies may not be readable.

Reference Information 4-5

Notes on slip paper

Paper feed direction Glued area

❏ The slip pa per must be flat, wi thout curl s or wrin kl es,

especially at the top edges. Otherwise, the paper may rub
against the ribbon and become dirty.

❏ There must be no glue on the bottom edge. Choose slip pap er

carefully since paper feeding and insertion are affected by
gluing conditions (such as glue quality, method, and le ngth)
and glue location (see the illustration below). Be especially
careful when slip paper is wide and has glue on the left edge,
since it may not feed in a straight line.

.

OK to use

Do not use

Use carefully

OK to use

❏ Since the BOF sensor uses a p h oto sen sor, d o n ot use p aper t hat

has holes at the sensor position, or is translucent.

❏ Since the TOF sensor uses a reflective photo sensor and it

detects from the back of slip paper , do n ot use paper that has
holes or dark portions with low refl ection (less tha n 40%
reflecti on) at the s ensor position.

4-6 Reference Information

Form stopper position

31

8

MICR head

18.9

38.5

18

Slip feeding roller
position

Paper feed direction

Area where paper holes are prohibited
and reflection rate for the back of
paper should be 40% or more.

1.3

TOF sensor
position

Center of the print head

Slip side guide

BOF sensor

15

1.8

39

37.2

21.9

3.6

24

10

[ All the numeric values are typical. ]

Paper holes and translucence
prohibited area.

Paper feed direction

[Units: mm (All the numeric values are typical.)]

❏ Use thinne r paper (N30 or e quivalent ) between the top and

bottom sheets of multi-ply p aper. If thick paper is u sed, the
copy capability is lowered.

Reference Information 4-7

Notes:

When inserting slip paper, be sure to use the slip side guide and
form stopper. If you insert the slip paper exceeding the form stopper,
the slip paper may be ejected.

Do not print on the slip paper in the reverse paper feed direction.

Electrical Characteristics

Supply voltage: +24 VDC ± 10% (optional power su pply: EPSON

PS-170)

Current
consumption: (at

24V, except for
drawer kick-out
driving)

Reliability

Life (when printing
alphanumeric
characters):

Ripple
voltage:

Operating: Mean: approximately 1.9A

Standby: Mean: approximately 0.3A

Mechanism: 12,000,000 lines

300mVpp or less (only when the
printer is used with the MICR
reader).

(character font A α-N all columns
printing)
Peak: approximately 8.0A (20 msec)
When the print platen is released:

2.0A (200 msec)

4-8 Reference Information

Print head: 150 million characters

(whe n printing in the
average of 2 dots/wire
per character)

MICR reader
mechanism (only
when the printer is
used with the MICR

240,000 passes
The MICR reader is defined to have
reached the end of its life when it reaches
the begi nni ng of the Wearout P e riod.

reader):
MTBF: 180,000 hours

Failure is defined as Random Failure
occurring at the time of the Random
Failure Period.

MCBF: 29,000,000 lines

This is an aver age failu re interval base d on
failures relating to wearout and random
failures up to the life of 12 million lines.

Reference Information 4-9

Environmental Conditions

Temperature: Operating: 5° to 45°C (41° to 113°F)

Storage: -10° to 50° C (14° to 122° F)

Humidity: Operating: 10 to 90% RH

Storage: 10 to 90% RH (except for

Notes:

When the temperature is 34°C, the humidity must be 90% or less.
When the temperature is 40°C, the humidity must be 65% or less.
When the temperture is 45°C, the humidity must be 50% or less.

(excep t for paper)

paper)

4-10 Reference Information

Appendix A

Dip Switch Setting

Although the factory settings are best for almost all uses, if you
have special requirements, you can change the DIP switch.

Setting the DIP Switches

DIP switch functions

Your printer has two sets of DIP switches. The f u nctions of the
switches are shown in the following tables.

Serial interface specification

Set 1

SW Function ON OFF

1-1 Data receive error Ignored Prints “?”

1-2 Receive buffer capacity 69 bytes 4K bytes

1-3 Handshaking XON/XOFF DTR/DSR

1-4 Data word length 7 bits 8 bits

1-5 Parity check Enabled Disabled

1-6 Parity selection Even Odd

1-7

Transmission speed (See the table below)

1-8

Dip Switch Setting A-1

Transmission Speed

Transmission Speed (BPS)-bits per second 1-7 1-8

2400 ON ON

4800 OFF ON

9600 ON OFF

19200 OFF OFF

Set 2

SW Function ON OFF

2-1

2-2

2-3~
2-4

2.5~

2.6

2-7* I/F pin 6 reset signal Enabled Disabled

2-8* I/F pin 25 reset signal Enabled Disabled

Handshaking (BUSY
condition)

Customer display
(DM-D) connection

Undefined —

Internal use

Receive buffer full

Connected Not connected

Fixed to Off

Off line or
receive buffer full

* With a RS-485 serial interface specification (a dealer option), DIP
switches 2-7 and 2-8 are ignored.

Notes:

Changes in DIP switch settings (excluding switches 2-7 and 2-8 interface reset

•

signals) are recognized only when the printer power is turned on or when the
printer is reset by using the interface. If the DIP switch setting is changed after
the printer power is turned on, the change does not take effect until the
printer is turned on again or is reset.

If you turn on DIP switch 2-7 or 2-8 while the printer is turned on, the printer may

•

be reset, depending on the signal state. DIP switches should not be changed
while the printer power is on.

A-2 Dip Switch Setting

Parallel interface specification

Set 1

SW Function ON OFF

1-1 Auto line feed Always enabled Always disabled

1-2 Receive buffer capacity 69 bytes 4K bytes

1-3 ~
1-8

Undefined — —

Set 2

SW Function ON OFF

•Off-line

•Receive buffer full

•Reading data

2-1

2-2

2-3 ~
2-4

2-5 ~
2-7

2-8

Handshaking (BUSY
condition)

Reserved
(Do not change settings)

Undefined —

Reserved
(Do not change settings)

I/F pin 31 reset signal
(Do not change settings)

•Receive buffer full

•Reading data

Fixed to Off

Fixed to Off

Fixed to On

Notes:

Changes in DIP switch settings (excluding switch 2-8 interface reset signal) are

•

recognized only when the printer power is turned on or when the printer is
reset by using the interface. If the DIP switch setting is changed after the
printer power is turned on, the change does not take effect until the printer is
turned on again or is reset.

If you turn on DIP switch 2-8 while the printer is turned on, the printer may be

•

reset, depending on the signal state. DIP switches should not be changed
while the printer power is on.

Dip Switch Setting A-3

Changing the DIP switch settings

If you need to change settings, follow the steps below to make your
changes:

CAUTION:

Turn off the printer while removing the DIP switch cover to
prevent an electric short, which can damage the printer.

1. Make s ure the printe r is turned off.

2. Remove th e screw fr o m t he DIP sw itch co v e r. T h e n t a k e o ff the

DIP switch cover, as shown in the illustration below.

DSW1 DSW2

3. Set the switches using a pointed tool, such as tweezers or a

small screwdriver.

4. Replace the DIP switch cover. Then secure it with the screw.

The new settings take effect when you turn on the printer.

A-4 Dip Switch Setting

Appendix B

EPSON

EPSON AMERICA INC./OEM DIV. 20770 Madrona Ave.

EPSON EUROPE B.V. Prof. J.H. Bavincklaan 5

EPSON Deutschland GmbH Zülpicher Strasse 6, 40549

EPSON U.K. LIMITED Campus 100 Maylands Ave.

Sales Subsidiaries

Torrance, CA 90559-2842 U.S.A.
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

1183 AT Amstelveen The Netherlands
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

Düsseldorf 11, Germany
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

Hemel Hempstead Herts. HP2 7TJ
United Kingdom
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON FRANCE S.A. 68 Bis Rue Marj o li n B.P. 320 92305

Levallois Perret Cedex, France
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON IBERICA, S.A. Avda. de Roma, 18-26

08290 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON ITALIA S.P.A. V.le F IIi Casiraghi, 4 2 7

20099 Sesto Si Giovanni (Milan), Italy
Tel : [phone]
Fax [phone]

EPSON SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. No. 1 Raffles Place #26-00 OUB

Centre Singapore, 0104
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON Sales Subsidiaries B-1

EPSON HONG KONG LIMITED 25/F., Harbor Centre, 25, Harbor Road,

Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON TAIWAN TECHNOLOGY 10f, No. 287, Nanking E. Road, Sec. 3
& TRADING LTD. Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.

Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

SEIKO EPSON CORP. 10F, KIL 63 Building 60,
KOREA OFFICE Yoido Dong, Youngedungpo-Ku,

Seou l , Korea
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. 70 Gibbes Street, Chatswood NSW 2067

Australia
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

EPSON HANBAI CO., LTD.
TOKYO OFFICE: 3F Building Kawaguchi

Fuda Chofu-Shi Tokyo 182 Japan
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

OSAKA OFFICE: 13F Shin-Osaka Daiichi-Seimei Bldg.

5-24 3-Chome Miy a har a Yodo gawa-ku
Osaka 532 Japan
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]

B-2 EPSON Sales Subsidiaries